Apparatus, systems and methods for controlling presentation of content using a multi-media table

ABSTRACT

Media content presentation systems and methods are operable to control content presentation on a touch-sensitive display of a multi-media table that is communicatively coupled to a media device that is operable to access the media content. An exemplary embodiment receives, at the multi-media table from the media device, a media content event; presents the media content event on a portion of the touch-sensitive display of the multi-media table; detects a gesture-based touch movement made by a user on the touch-sensitive display; determines an intended user command based on the detected gesture-based touch movement; generates a media device command when the intended user command is configured to control presentation of the media content event; and communicates the generated media device command from the multi-media table to the media device, wherein the media device controls the media content event in accordance with the received media device command.

BACKGROUND

Recent developments in touch-sensitive display technologies hasfacilitated the emergence of a variety of new media presentationtechnologies. One newly emerging touch-sensitive display device is themulti-media table. The multi-media table is a table that has a workingsurface with a visible touch-sensitive display, also known as atouchscreen. The visible touch-sensitive display is located below theworking surface and is visible to the multi-media table users. Since thetouch-sensitive display employs a touch-sensitive display technology,the user may interactively manipulate presentation of the graphics onthe display by touching the work surface with their hands, a pen, orother instrument.

Since the touch-sensitive display is a type of computer system inputdevice, that enables the user to interact directly with displayedgraphics and to control various applications that are running on themulti-media table controller. The multi-media table controller issimilar to a personal computer, smart phone, or other electronic devicein that the user is able to perform various computer related functionsusing their multi-media table. The touch-sensitive display visuallyoutputs information pertaining to executing applications, much like thevisual output display information that is presented on a computer screenor on the display of a smart phone. Accordingly, the touch-sensitivedisplay provides a user interface that may be used to control themulti-media table controller, and thus permit the user to operate avariety of computer implemented applications that perform variousfunctions.

In addition, the multi-media table may also be configured to presentmedia content on the touch-sensitive display. Media content is typicallyprovided as a media content event, much like the media content eventsthat are presented on a television or the like. A media content eventpresents theme-based visual and audio content to a user for theirenjoyment and/or for informative purposes. Examples of such theme-basedcontent includes movies, films, serial programming, sporting events,documentaries, newscasts, religious programs, commercials (typically ofshort duration with advertising content), or the like. Serialprogramming may present a continuing plot and/or theme, often with thesame cast of actors, in a sequential episode-by-episode basis that isavailable periodically. Advertisements, commercials or the like may beinterspersed within the media content event.

Since the display area of a touch-sensitive display of a multi-mediatable can be relatively large, the multi-media table controller can beconfigured to concurrently present display output from one or moreexecuting applications and present one or more media content events. Forexample, a first portion of the touch-sensitive display may be used tocontrol operation of a particular executing application, such as acomputer-aided design or computer-aided drafting (CAD) application thatpermits the operator to view and manipulate graphic representations ofphysical objects. Concurrently, another portion of the touch-sensitivedisplay may be used to present a particular media content event ofinterest, such as the presentation of a sporting event, such as afootball game. Here, the user may continue work on a particular projectusing the executing CAD application while viewing the football game. Asanother illustrative example, the multi-media table may be located at aresidence, and from time to time, serve as a dining table. The usercould browse the internet using a first portion of the touch-sensitivedisplay and concurrently view (and optionally listen to) a broadcastingnews report that is being presented on a different portion of thetouch-sensitive display.

However, to display a broadcasting media content event on a portion ofthe touch-sensitive display, the multi-media table controller must haveaccess to a stream of media content. In some instances, the multi-mediatable controller may be configured to receive and process broadcastingstreams of media content, much like the well known set top box.

Alternatively, or additionally, the multi-media table controller may becommunicatively coupled to a set top box or other media device so as toreceive the streaming media content event directly from the set top boxor other media device. Here, the user must first operate their set topbox or other media device to access and process a particular mediacontent event of interest, and then cause the set top box or other mediadevice to communicate the streaming media content event to themulti-media table controller. In this operating configuration, the twostep process of configuring the set top box or other media device andconfiguring their multi-media table to display the received mediacontent event is a relatively cumbersome and time consuming exercise onthe part of the user.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to facilitate a more convenientand user-friendly way of concurrently controlling operation of amulti-media table that is presenting a media content event on a portionof its touch-sensitive display and controlling operation of a set topbox or other media device that is providing the streaming media contentevent to the multi-media table.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of controlling content presentation on atouch-sensitive display of a multi-media table that is communicativelycoupled to a media device that is operable to access the media content.An exemplary embodiment receives, at the multi-media table from themedia device, a media content event; presents the media content event ona portion of the touch-sensitive display of the multi-media table;detects a gesture-based touch movement made by a user on thetouch-sensitive display; determines an intended user command based onthe detected gesture-based touch movement; generates a media devicecommand when the intended user command is configured to controlpresentation of the media content event; and communicates the generatedmedia device command from the multi-media table to the media device,wherein the media device controls the media content event in accordancewith the received media device command.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a multi-media tableinterface system that depicts a block diagram of a media device and aperspective view of a multi-media table; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an example media deviceand an example multi-media table controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a multi-media tableinterface system 100 that depicts a block diagram of a media device 102and a perspective view of a multi-media table 104. In an exemplaryembodiment, the user of the multi-media table 104 is able to control themedia device 102 by operation of the touch-sensitive display 106 of themulti-media table 104.

An exemplary embodiment of the multi-media table 104 comprises a bodyportion 108 and an optional pedestal portion 110. The body portion 108comprises the substantially horizontally oriented touch-sensitivedisplay 106 and a working surface 112. The working surface 112preferably includes a surface portion that is transparent that overlaysthe touch-sensitive display 106 (which in some embodiments may itself bepart of the touch-sensitive display 106). Preferably, the top of theworking surface 112 is rigid and sufficiently durable so that the usermay place objects on the working surface 112 without scratching orotherwise damaging the working surface 112, and in particular, thetransparent portion that overlays the touch-sensitive display 106.Further, the working surface 112 is preferably resistant to variouschemicals and cleaning devices that may be used to clean the workingsurface 112 from time to time.

The touch-sensitive display 106 is embedded within and/or is an internalcomponent of the body portion 108. The transparent portion of theworking surface 112 that is over the top surface of the touch-sensitivedisplay 106 is configured to permit touch-based control of thetouch-sensitive display 106 by the user. Various embodiments of thetouch-sensitive display 106 may employ any known or later developedtouch-sensitive display technology. Such touch-sensitive displaytechnologies include, but are not limited to, a resistive touchscreenpanel technology, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology, a capacitivetouchscreen panel technology, a surface capacitance technology, aprojected capacitance technology, a mutual capacitance technology, aself-capacitance technology, an infrared grid technology, an opticalimaging technology, a dispersive signal technology, and an acousticpulse recognition technology. A touch-sensitive display 106 may besensitive to the touch of the user's fingers. Alternatively, oradditionally, the touch-sensitive display 106 may be sensitive tocontact by an object, such as a stylus, pen, or the like. In someembodiments, the transparent portion of the working surface 112 may beintegrated with and/or may be a component of the touch-sensitive display106.

In this example embodiment, pedestal portion 110 of the multi-mediatable 104 supports the body portion 108 (which may optionally provide atleast some degree of axial rotation of the touch-sensitive display 106).Other embodiments may use other types of support devices to support thetouch-sensitive display 106 in a substantially horizontal orientation,such as a plurality of legs or the like (similar to supports used bydinner tables or coffee tables). In some embodiments, the body portion108 with the touch-sensitive display 106 may be detachable from thepedestal portion 110. Alternatively, the pedestal portion 110 may beomitted in some embodiments so as to be able to be placed on aconventional table top or other work surface, or even to be held by theuser. Alternatively, or additionally, the pedestal portion 110 may beconfigured to hold the body portion 108 with the touch-sensitive display106 in a vertical or in a substantially vertical orientation. If thetouch-sensitive display 106 is used in the vertical orientation, thepedestal portion 110 may be replaced with other structure thatfacilitates placement of the body portion 108 on a wall or forsuspension of the body portion 108 from a ceiling or other overheadstructure. Any such forms of support structure to secure and orient thetouch-sensitive display 106 are contemplated to be within the scope ofthis disclosure since the support and/or orientation of thetouch-sensitive display 106 during use is not particularly relevant tothe function and operation of the various embodiments of the presentinvention.

The pedestal portion 110 optionally includes one or more speakers 114and a multi-media table controller 116. In some embodiments, one or moreof the speakers 114 and/or the multi-media table controller 116 may beseparate components that are communicatively connected to themulti-media table 104, and/or may be components of the touch-sensitivedisplay 106.

The speaker 114 outputs audio content of interest that is selected foroutput by the user. Since the touch-sensitive display 106 is operable topresent visual output from a plurality of operating applications and/orfrom one or more presented media content events, the multi-media tablecontroller 116 is configured to receive specification from the user asto which particular audio output content is to be reproduced as audiblesounds by the speakers 114. Further, the multi-media table controller116 is configured to receive specifications from the user that controlsthe volume level (volume up/volume down) of the audio content beingoutput from the speakers 114.

The exemplary media device 102 is configured to manage presentation ofmedia content, and in particular, broadcasting media content events.Example media devices 102 include, but are not limited to, a set topboxes (STBs), stereos, surround-sound receivers, radios, televisions(TVs), digital video disc (DVD) players, digital video recorders (DVRs),cellular phones equipped with video functionality, personal deviceassistants (PDAs), game playing devices, or personal computers (PCs)that are configured to present a video-based media content event that isreceived in a media content stream 118.

The media content stream 118 includes a series of media content events.Typically, a media content event presents theme-based visual and audiocontent to a user for their enjoyment and/or for informative purposes.Examples of such theme-based content include movies, films, serialprogramming, sporting events, documentaries, newscasts, religiousprograms, commercials (typically of short duration with advertisingcontent), or the like. Serial programming may present a continuing plotand/or theme, often with the same cast of actors, in a sequentialepisode-by-episode basis that is available periodically. Advertisements,commercials or the like may be interspersed within the media contentevent.

In a broadcast environment, the media content event is broadcast to aplurality of media devices 102 as a stream of media content residing inthe media content stream 118. Typically, at any given instant in time,the media device 102 may be receiving hundreds of, or even thousands of,concurrently broadcasting media content streams each with one or morestreaming media content events. Typically, presentation of a mediacontent event occurs over some time span (duration). Thus, the mediacontent event has a beginning portion that usually includes identifyinginformation about the media content event, such as music, text of atitle, or other information. When the user views this beginning portionof the media content event, the user intuitively understands that theyare viewing the beginning of the media content event.

As time progresses, the entirety of the streaming media content event ofinterest is presented to the user as the stream of media content isbeing received in the media content stream 118. At some point, the mediacontent event of interest comes to its end (conclusion). A viewing userintuitively understands that the media content event of interest isending upon viewing the concluding portion of the media content event.Such concluding portions of the media content event typically includethe closing credits portion, wherein the closing credits are visible tothe user. Typically, when the user is viewing a live broadcast of themedia content event, a next media content event begins after theconclusion of the media content event of interest. Alternatively, one ormore commercials or the like may next be presented to the user prior tothe initial presentation of the next live broadcast media content event(assuming that the user chooses to view that next media content event).

The exemplary media device 102 is communicatively coupled to a mediapresentation system 120 that includes a visual display device 122, suchas a television (hereafter, generically a TV), and an audio presentationdevice 124, such as a surround sound receiver controlling an audioreproduction device. The video portion of the media content event ispresented to a user on a display 126 of the visual presentation device122. The audio portion of the media content is reproduced as audiblesounds by one or more speakers 128 of the audio presentation device 124.Other types of output devices may also be coupled to the media device102, including those providing any sort of stimuli sensible by a humanbeing, such as temperature, vibration and the like. In some embodiments,the media device 102 and one or more of the components of the mediapresentation system 120 may be integrated into a single electronicdevice.

A media content event comprises a video stream portion, a correspondingaudio stream portion, an optional corresponding metadata stream portion,an optional closed caption stream portion, and other optional streaminginformation of interest. For example, the media content stream 118 may,from time to time, include electronic program guide (EPG) informationthat is stored by the media device 102.

The video stream portion is comprised of a plurality of seriallysequenced video frames. Each video frame has data or information used bythe media device 102 to render and present a particular image of a mediacontent event of interest. The video frames are serially presented so asto create a moving picture. For example, an image 130 of a footballplayer filmed during a football game is conceptually illustrated asbeing presented on the display 126. Thus, one skilled in the artappreciates that the conceptual media content event of interest that hasbeen selected for presentation by the user of the media device 102 maybe a football game.

The audio stream portion may include spoken words (dialogue), music,and/or background sounds. Presentation of the audible sounds from audiostream portion is sequenced with presentation of the video frames of thevideo portion of the media content stream 118 such that spoken words,music, and background sounds of the audio stream portion correspond intime with the moving picture. For the exemplary football playerperforming in the football game, the audio portion may include dialogueof one or more commentators discussing the game play and/or backgroundenvironment noise, such as a cheering crowd.

The media device 102 may alternatively, or additionally, receive a mediacontent stream 118 from an alternative source, such as an electronicmedia content device 132. The electronic media content device 132 isoperable to access a media content event of interest from a suitablestorage medium. Exemplary electronic media content devices 132, include,but are not limited to, digital video disc (DVD) players, gamingdevices, flash memory devices, or the like.

Some media devices 102 are configured to receive information from and/orto control one or more electronic devices 134 that are communicativelycoupled to the media device 102. Example electronic devices 134 include,but are not limited to, home appliances, security systems, videocameras, or other devices. The electronic devices 134 may be in thevicinity of, or even remote from, the media device 102.

The components of the media presentation system 120, the electronicmedia content device 132, and/or the electronic device 134 arecommunicatively coupled to the media device 102 using any suitablecommunication link 136. The communication link 136 may be a suitablewire based connector, such as, but not limited to a coaxial cable, ahigh definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector, a uniform serialbus (USB) connector, a plurality of wires, or the like. Thecommunication link 136 may employ a wireless signal, such as an infrared(IR) signal or a radio frequency (RF) signal. Some communication links136 may utilize a mating slidable type of connector, such as used by auniform serial bus (USB) connector of a memory stick or the like. Thecommunication links 136 may provide for single direction communicationsor bidirectional communications. Any known or later developedcommunication links 136 are contemplated by the various embodiments ofthe multi-media table interface system 100.

The exemplary media device 102 is configured to receive commands from auser via a remote control 138. The remote control 138 includes one ormore controllers 140 disposed on the surface of the remote control 138.The user, by actuating one or more of the controllers 140, causes theremote control 138 to generate and transmit commands, via a wirelesssignal 142, to the media device 102 or to other devices, such ascomponents of the media presentation system 120, the electronic mediacontent device 132, and/or the electronic device 134. Preferably, eachindividual one of the controllers 140 has a specific predefined functionthat causes a specific operation by the media device 102, components ofthe media presentation system 120, the electronic media content device132, and/or the electronic device 134. The commands communicated fromthe remote control 138 then control the media device 102, components ofthe media presentation system 120, the electronic media content device132, and/or the electronic device 134. The wireless signal 142 may be anIR signal or a RF signal that is detectable by the media device 102,components of the media presentation system 120, the electronic mediacontent device 132, and/or the electronic device 134.

In a preferred operating environment, the media device 102 is inproximity to, or at least relatively nearby, the multi-media table 104.For example, if the multi-media table 104 is in the user's residence,the media device 102 may be in the same room or another room of theuser's residence. However, the media device 102 may be remotely locatedfrom the multi-media table 104, such as in other rooms of the residence,or even in another building, an office in a remote office building, oreven farther away if the media device 102 is a mobile electronic device.

FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a hypothetical operating scenario of themulti-media table 104 to further explain operation of embodiments of themulti-media table interface system 100. The touch-sensitive display 106is conceptually illustrated as presenting an application output graphicsregion 144 of the touch-sensitive display 106 that is presentinggraphical output from an executing application. For convenience, thegraphical output of the executing application presented in theapplication output graphics region 144 is illustrated with a lined fillpattern. One skilled in the art appreciates that any suitable graphicalinformation may be shown in the application output graphics region 144to represent the graphical output of the executing application that isbeing run by the multi-media table controller 116. The presentedgraphical information may be textual information, tables, charts,diagrams, video clips, still images, and/or the like. Further, if audioinformation associated with the executing application is available, suchaudio information may be optionally output from the speakers 114 basedon a specification by the user. Further, one skilled in the artappreciates that the multi-media table controller 116 may beconcurrently executing a plurality of applications, wherein eachapplication may be presenting graphical output on the application outputgraphics region 144 (or another portion) of the touch-sensitive display106.

To further conceptually illustrate an operating scenario, an applicationinterface region 146 is illustrated with graphical icons 148 thereon.The graphical icons 148 are each uniquely associated with a particularapplication that the user may select for operation by the multi-mediatable 104. Here, the individual graphical icons 148 are presented withunique visible attributes that intuitively inform the user of theparticular associated application. For example one of the graphicalicons 148 may be a well-known symbol or the like that is known to beassociated with a CAD program that can be selected for execution by themulti-media table controller 116. In response to the user's “touching”of that graphical icon 148, the associated CAD program is retrieved andoperation of the CAD program is initiated.

When operation of the multi-media table 104 is initiated (when the user“turns on” or powers up the multi-media table 104), only the pluralityof graphical icons 148 may be initially presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106 (assuming that operation of any of the availableapplications has not yet been initiated). In response to the userselecting one of the graphical icons 148, one skilled in the artappreciates that the multi-media table controller 116 begins to executethe application corresponding to the selected graphical icon 148. Themulti-media table controller 116 then begins to generate the applicationoutput graphics region 144 that presents the graphical output that isthen being generated by the selected application. Here, the exampleembodiment may also optionally shift, move, or otherwise relocate theplurality of graphical icons 148 to the application interface region 146of the touch-sensitive display 106. Additionally, the size of thegraphical icons 148 may be reduced so that they may all be fit withinthe designated region of the application interface region 146. Thus, theuser will be able to operate the executing application via thepresenting graphical output of the application, and still be able toview the graphical icons 148. Here, the user intuitively understandsthat they can additionally or alternatively select one of the associatedapplications for execution by the multi-media table controller 116 by“touching”the associated one of the graphical icons 148 shown in theapplication interface region 146.

More specific to embodiments of the multi-media table interface system100, a particular graphical icon 150 may be presented in the applicationinterface region 146 that is associated with the media device 102. Here,the graphical icon 150 corresponds to the media device 102. Dependingupon the embodiment, the graphical icon 150 may be based on aphotographic image or a pictorial representation of the actual mediadevice 102 that is available for use by the user. Any suitablerepresentation, such as a well-known icon, trademark, or the like, maybe used for the graphical icon 150 so that the user intuitivelyunderstands that if they “touch” that particular graphical icon 150,then operation of embodiments of the multi-media table interface system100 will be initiated.

In the various embodiments, a suitable communication link 136(interchangeably referred to herein as the coupling means 136) is usedto communicatively couple the media device 102 and the multi-media table104. The communication link 136 may be wire based or may employ awireless technology. Further, the communication link 136 supportsbidirectional communication between the media device 102 and themulti-media table 104. That is, the media device 102 may communicatemedia content, information and/or media device commands (instructions)to the multi-media table 104. Conversely, the multi-media table 104 maycommunicate information and/or command instructions to the media device102. The media device commands may be configured to control operation ofthe media device 102 and/or to control components of the mediapresentation system 120.

Assuming that the user has previously “touched” the graphical icon 150,thereby causing the multi-media table controller 116 to access andexecute interface logic that enables communications between the mediadevice 102 and the multi-media table controller 116, the multi-mediatable controller 116 configures the multi-media table interface system100 to present a media device display region 152 on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106. In an example embodiment, a graphical representation of themedia device 102 may be presented on the touch-sensitive display 106,wherein active regions on the graphical image of the media device 102correspond to physical controls of the media device 102. Thus, the usermay select to operate the media device 102 by “touching” thecorresponding active areas on the image of the media device 102presented on the touch-sensitive display 106.

The media device display region 152 presents graphical informationprovided by the media device 102. Examples of graphical informationprovided by the media device include the video portion of a mediacontent event, an electronic program guide (EPG), closed captioningtext, or other control graphics such as popup pages, selection menus, orthe like used to manage operation of the media device 102 and/orcomponents of the media presentation system 120. When a media contentevent is being presented in the media device display region 152, themedia device 102 is communicating at least the video portion of thepresenting media content event to the multi-media table 104 so that thevideo portion is presented on the media device display region 152 on thetouch-sensitive display 106. Additionally, or alternatively, the audioportion, closed captioning text information, and/or metadata of themedia content event may be communicated to the multi-media table 104.The closed captioning text information, and/or metadata may beoptionally presented to the user by the multi-media table 104 at theuser's discretion.

To conceptually illustrate this hypothetical operating scenario ofpresenting a media content event, the media device 102 is understood byone skilled in the art to be optionally configured to communicate thesame media content event to the media presentation system 120, whereinthe video portion is presented on the display 126 of the mediapresentation system 120. In accordance with the above-describedhypothetical example of the presenting football game, the image of thefootball player 130 is also presented as the image 154 that is beingpresented in the media device display region 152 of the touch-sensitivedisplay 106. Thus, one skilled in the art appreciates that the user mayview the same video content that is being processed by the media device102 for presentation by the media presentation system 120.

However, one skilled in the art appreciates that alternative mediacontent may be alternatively provided by the media device 102 that ispresented by the media presentation system 120. For example, mediacontent events from a first channel may be communicated to themulti-media table 104 and a different media content event may becommunicated to the components of the media presentation system 120. Or,no media content may be communicated from the media device 102 to themedia presentation system 120, and/or one or more components of themedia presentation system 120 may be powered down (turned off), whichmedia content is being communicated to the multi-media table 104 forpresentation in the media device display region 152.

Also, the user may optionally control the multi-media table 104 so thatthe audio content associated with the media content event received fromthe media device 102 is output from the speakers 114 of the multi-mediatable 104. For example, the user may hear the football game commentarywhile watching the football game that is being presented in the mediadevice display region 152 of the touch-sensitive display 106.Alternatively, the user may choose to play music being provided by themedia device 102 or another electronic device, may choose to hear theaudio content being output by an executing application, or may choose tohear no audio output. The user provides their audio content presentationselections via the touch-sensitive display 106 or through anothersuitable user interface device.

However, embodiments of the multi-media table interface system 100provide various advancements to the state of the arts since thecommunication link 136 supports bidirectional communications between themedia device 102 and the multi-media table 104. More particularly, theuser is able to control operation of the media device 102 using thegraphical interface provided by the touch-sensitive display 106 of themulti-media table 104. In an example, embodiment, a plurality of mediadevice content control graphical icons 156 are shown adjacent to or onthe media device display region 152 on the touch-sensitive display 106.Each of the content control graphical icons 156 are associated with aparticular function that controls operation of the media device 102,such as a trick function operation or another control operation. Thatis, the content control graphical icons 156 are configured to providetouch sensitive remote control operation of the media device 102 to theuser via the touch-sensitive display 106. Furthermore, the user may alsobe able to control operation, via the media device 102, of one or moreof the components of the media presentation system 120, the electronicmedia content device 132, and/or the electronic device 134 using thecontent control graphical icons 156 that have been associated withparticular operating functions of those devices. Additionally, oralternatively, the user may be able to control operation of themulti-media table 104 via their media device 102.

Some embodiments of the multi-media table interface system 100 areconfigured under a first operational configuration wherein themulti-media table controller 116 controls presentation of all graphicalcontent that is being presented on the touch-sensitive display 106.Other embodiments of the multi-media table interface system 100 areconfigured under a second operational configuration that enables sharedcontrol of the presentation of graphical content on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106 by both the media device 102 and the multi-media tablecontroller 116. Under the second operational configuration, a portion ofthe touch-sensitive display 106 is under the direct control of themulti-media table controller 116, such as when output graphics of anexecuting application are presented on the touch-sensitive display 106.Another portion of the touch-sensitive display 106 is under the directcontrol of the media device 102.

Under this first operational configuration, selected embodiments of themulti-media table interface system 100 communicatively couple the mediadevice 102 to the multi-media table controller 116 such that themulti-media table controller 116 receives and processes the receivedmedia content. Here, the multi-media table controller 116 receives astream of media content from the media device 102 (video and/or audiocontent of a media content event). The format of the data of thereceived media content stream may be different from the format ofgraphical information that is provided to the touch-sensitive display106. That is, the multi-media table controller 116 processes thereceived media content (concurrently with operation of any executingapplications) into a video or graphical data format that is presentableon the touch-sensitive display 106.

Under this first operational configuration, in the event that the userwishes to provide some type of user input to control presentation of themedia content received from the media device 102, the user “touches” thetouch-sensitive display 106. The multi-media table controller 116detects the user's touch type input, which may be a gesture made by theuser's fingers while touching the working surface 112. Any suitable typeof gesture-based touch movement may be used by the various embodimentsfor enabling the user to generate an intended user command. Themulti-media table controller 116 then interprets the sensedgesture-based touch movement to define or otherwise determine anintended user command. If the determined intended user command isintended to control operation of the multi-media table 104 or one of theexecuting applications, the multi-media table 104 may perform operationsas necessary to implement the user's command.

However, in the first operational configuration, if the intended usercommand relates to presentation of the media content received from themedia device 102, then the multi-media table controller 116 willdetermine if the multi-media table controller 116 is able to implementthe determined intended user command, or determine if informationcorresponding to the determined intended user command must be sent tothe media device 102 such that the media device 102 implements theintended user command.

For example, in some operating situations, the user may wish to changethe size of the media device display region 152 of the touch-sensitivedisplay 106 that is being used to present the media content receivedfrom the media device 102. For example, the user may be currentlyworking with a particular work application (with its graphical outputbeing presented in the application output graphics region 144 thatoccupies a relatively large portion of the touch-sensitive display 106).Concurrently, the user may be casually monitoring the progress of thefootball game being presented in the image 154 that is being presentedin the media device display region 152 on the touch-sensitive display106 that uses a relatively small area.

At some point in time, the user may become interested in viewing alarger image of the football game. The user may, using a suitablegesture-based touch movement, optionally initiate a first user commandto pause operation of the running application. This first user commandmay be implemented by the multi-media table controller 116 since thefirst user command is not related to presentation of the media contentreceived from the media device 102. That is, this first user command topause operation of the executing application may be implemented withoutsending information pertaining to this first user command to the mediadevice 102.

In some embodiments, the media content event being displayed in themedia device display region 152 of the touch-sensitive display 106 maybe presented over some or all of the application output graphics region144 using a picture in picture, picture over picture, or the like formatsuch that the media content event being provided by the media device 102to the display 126 may be more readily viewed on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106. This feature may be particularly advantageous if the useris initially viewing a relatively small area of display for the mediadevice display region 152, and then later increases the area of themedia device display region 152 for enlarged viewing. Alternatively, oradditionally, some or all of the application output graphics region 144may be presented over all of, or a portion of, the media device displayregion 152 where the user may simply page back and forth to view theapplication output graphics region 144 and/or the multi-media tablecontroller 116.

The user may then make another suitable gesture-based touch movementthat is intended to increase the size of the media device display region152 of the touch-sensitive display 106 that is being used forpresentation of the media content received from the media device 102.Since the media content being received from the media device 102 isitself not modified, the multi-media table controller 116 can implementthis second user command by adjusting the size of the media devicedisplay region 152. That is, one skilled in the art understands that themulti-media table controller 116 is able to enlarge the image of thereceived media content without having the media device 102 make anyadjustments of the communicated media content. Here, no informationpertaining to this second user command is communicated from themulti-media table controller 116 to the media device 102.

Further, the user may wish to change the audio output from the executingapplication (or another application) to the audio output of the mediacontent event being received from the media device 102. Based on anotherdetected gesture-based touch movement, the multi-media table controller116 can then direct the audio content of the received media contentevent to the speaker 114. Here, one skilled in the art understand thatthe multi-media table controller 116 is simply controlling audio contentthat is to be output from the speaker 114, and therefore, that noinformation pertaining to this second user command needs to becommunicated from the multi-media table controller 116 to the mediadevice 102 (since the audio portion of the media content event isalready being communicated from the media device 102 to the multi-mediatable 104).

Also, the user may wish to increase (or lower) the volume level of theaudio content of the received media content event by inputting asuitable gesture-based command. Under this first operationalconfiguration, one skilled in the art appreciates that there are twopossible ways to adjust audio content volume output. First, themulti-media table controller 116 may directly control the audio contentvolume output from the speaker 114 by controlling an internal audioamplifier (not shown) that is providing output to the speaker 114. Inthis first situation, the multi-media table controller 116 can thendirectly adjust the volume output of the presented audio content that isbeing output from the speaker 114 by controlling operation of the audioamplifier. Here, no information pertaining to this volume leveladjustment user command is communicated from the multi-media tablecontroller 116 to the media device 102.

Alternatively, the audio portion of the media content event being outputfrom the media device 102 may be modified, thereby resulting in a volumelevel change when output from the speaker 114. In this second situation,the volume level change may be implemented by the media device 102(rather than by the multi-media table controller 116). Here, themulti-media table controller 116 generates a suitable media devicecommand which is then communicated to the media device 102. The mediadevice 102, in response to receiving the media device command, thenmakes the appropriate adjustment of the volume level of the audiocontent portion that is being communicated to the multi-media table 104.Once the volume level adjustment has been implemented by the mediadevice 102, the multi-media table controller 116 receives the adjustedaudio content from the media device 102 so that the user's volumeadjustment command is implemented.

It is appreciated by one skilled in the art that the above-describedaudio content volume level change implemented by the media device 102can be performed in a real time, or near real time, basis. For example,a graphical icon resembling a slider bar type or dial type volumecontroller may be graphically presented somewhere on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106. The user could touch/slide/rotate the graphical audiocontent volume controller, and then hear the volume level adjustment asit is being made by the media device 102. Here, the user will perceivethat the touch-sensitive display 106 is controlling the media device 102in real time, or at least in near real time, since the user will heartheir gesture-based volume adjustment being made in real time, or atleast in near real time.

Some embodiments of the multi-media table interface system 100 may beconfigured using a second operational configuration wherein the mediadevice 102 directly controls a region of the touch-sensitive display 106and the multi-media table controller 116 concurrently controls a secondregion of the touch-sensitive display 106. Under the second operationalconfiguration, information corresponding to the user's sensedgesture-based touch movement on the associated region of thetouch-sensitive display 106 is communicated directly to the media device102. The media device 102 is configured to determine the user's intendedoperating commands based on the sensed gesture-based touch movementsmade by the user on that particular region of the touch-sensitivedisplay 106 that is under the control of the media device 102.Similarly, the multi-media table controller 116 is configured todetermine the user's intended operating commands based on the sensedgesture-based touch movements made by the user on that particular regionof the touch-sensitive display 106 that is under the control of themulti-media table controller 116.

Under the second operational configuration, the regions may bepredefined. Thus, one region is under the control of the media device102, and the other region is under the control of the multi-media tablecontroller 116. In some embodiments, the regions may be dynamicallyadjusted by the user by inputting suitable gesture-based touchmovements. For example, a conventional touch and drag gesture made to anedge of a region or a corner of the region of interest may be used toadjust the size of that region. In some embodiments, if the media device102 is not communicating information to the multi-media table 104, theentirety of the area of the touch-sensitive display 106 may be under thecontrol of the multi-media table controller 116 until the media device102 begins to provide information to the multi-media table 104.Conversely, if the multi-media table controller 116 is not operating,the entirety of the area of the touch-sensitive display 106 may be underthe control of the media device 102 until the multi-media tablecontroller 116 begins to provide information to the touch-sensitivedisplay 106.

Under either operational configuration, it is appreciated that thespeakers 128 of the media presentation system 120 may also be outputtingthe audio content of the media content event, or alternatively, may havebeen placed into a mute mode so that the speakers 128 are not presentingany sound (thereby avoiding or mitigating any distractions to the userat the multi-media table 104 who may be more interested in listening tothe audio output of the executing application). Accordingly, the volumelevel change may be implemented by the media device 102 (rather than bythe multi-media table controller 116) at the speakers 128 based on audiocontent volume control commands input by the user via thetouch-sensitive display 106. In such situations, a suitable graphicalinput controller may be presented on the touch-sensitive display 106that is intuitively understood by the user to control the audio contentvolume output of the speakers 128. Under the first operationalconfiguration, based on a determined intended user command to operateaudio content volume output at the speakers 128 (based on acorresponding gesture-based touch movement made by the user), themulti-media table controller 116 generates a suitable media devicecommand which is then communicated to the media device 102. Under thesecond operational configuration, information corresponding to theuser's sensed gesture-based touch movement is communicated directly tothe media device 102. In response to receiving the media device command(under the first operational configuration) or information correspondingto the sensed gesture-based touch movement (under the second operationalconfiguration), the media device 102 then makes the appropriate audiocontent volume level adjustment to the audio content portion that isbeing presented from the speakers 128 in accordance with the user'sintended volume adjustment command that was input on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106.

One skilled in the art is familiar with a variety of video contentpresentation control functions, interchangeably referred to herein astrick functions, that may be performed by the media device 102. When theuser is viewing a presented media content event on the display 126 ofthe media presentation system 120, the user is able to implement trickfunction operations by actuating one or more of the controllers 140 ontheir remote control 138. The media device 102, in response to receivingthe wireless signal 142 (having the remote control generated commandinstructions therein) from the remote control 138, implements the trickfunction that has been requested by the user.

Non limiting example trick functions include the pause operation, thefast forward operation, the fast rewind (reverse) operation, the slowmotion forward operation, the slow motion reverse operation, the jumpforward operation, and/or the jump backward operation. The various trickfunctions are configured to adjust the presentation speed of the videoportion of the media content event and/or adjust the direction ofpresentation of the video portion of the media content event. The pausetrick function pauses presentation of the video portion of the mediacontent event (by continuously presenting a single image frame of thevideo content). The fast forward trick function increases the rate orpresentation of the video portion of the media content event (so thatthe video appears to run forward at a relatively high rate of speed inthe “forward” direction). The slow motion forward trick function slowspresentation of the video portion of the media content event (so thatthe video appears to run forward at a relatively slow or low rate ofspeed in the forward direction). The fast rewind trick function reversespresentation of the video portion of the media content event (so thatthe video appears to run backward at a relatively high rate of speed inthe “reverse” direction). The slow motion rewind trick function reversespresentation of the video portion of the media content event (so thatthe video appears to run backward at a relatively slow rate of speed inthe reverse direction). These trick functions may be referred to usingother equivalent nomenclature by other media content presentationsystems.

When the user is at the multi-media table 104, embodiments of themulti-media table interface system 100 are configured to permit the userto control the media device 102 using the plurality of content controlgraphical icons 156. Accordingly, the user is able to perform trickfunction operations to the presented media content event shown in themedia device display region 152 on the touch-sensitive display 106 byinputting suitable gesture-based touch movements via content controlgraphical icons 156 that are presented on the touch-sensitive display106. In practice, the plurality of graphical icons 148 may be presentedon the touch-sensitive display 106 in proximity to or on the mediadevice display region 152, wherein each one of the presented contentcontrol graphical icons 156 are associated with a particular trickfunction operation. In some embodiments, the content control graphicalicons 156 include descriptive text information the user of theassociated trick function operation. Alternatively, or additionally, thecontent control graphical icons 156 may present graphical informationthat intuitively informs the user about the associated trick functionoperation. Thus, when the user “touches” a particular one of the contentcontrol graphical icons 156 associated with a trick function operationof interest, the media device 102 may control the media content eventaccordingly. Under the first operational configuration, the multi-mediatable 104 receives input for the touch-sensitive display 106 pertainingto the user's gesture-based touch movement. The multi-media tablecontroller 116 then generates a corresponding media device command thatis communicated to the media device 102 (wherein the communicated mediadevice command includes information about the user's intended trickfunction operation of interest). Under the second operationalconfiguration, information corresponding to the user's sensedgesture-based touch movement is communicated directly to the mediadevice 102, wherein the media device 102 determines the user's intendedtrick function operation of interest. The media device 102, in responseto receiving the media device command from the multi-media table 104,then performs the desired trick function operation. That is, the mediacontent being communicated from the media device 102 to the multi-mediatable 104 is controlled in accordance with the desired trick functionoperation.

To conceptually describe operation of a pause operation, the user mayinitiate a pause of the video content being presented in the mediadevice display region 152 on the touch-sensitive display 106 by“touching” one of the graphical icons 156 that are associated with thepause trick function operation. Under the first operationalconfiguration, in response to sensing the gesture-based touch movementon or near the graphical icon 148 for a pause trick function operation,the multi-media table controller 116 generates a media device commandthat indicates that the video portion of the presenting media contentevent is to be paused. The media device command is then communicatedfrom the multi-media table 104 to the media device 102. Under the secondoperational configuration, information corresponding to the user'ssensed gesture-based touch movement to implement a pause operation iscommunicated directly to the media device 102. In response to receivingthe media device command (or the sensed gesture-based touch movementinformation) associated with the pause trick function operationinformation, the media device 102 pauses presentation of the mediacontent event that is being communicated to the multi-media table 104.(Here, the media device 102 communicates a stream of video content thatis comprised of a single still image corresponding to the video framethat was being presented when the media device command was received atthe media device 102). Thus, the user viewing the video portion of themedia content event on the media device display region 152 on thetouch-sensitive display 106 sees that the presentation of the mediacontent event has been paused in the media device display region 152 onthe touch-sensitive display 106.

Some embodiments of the media device 102 are configured to concurrentlyperform the same trick function operation on the media content eventthat is being communicated to the components of the media presentationsystem 120. For example, if the media content event is concurrentlybeing presented on the display 126 when the media device command withthe pause trick function operation instruction is received, then thepause is also concurrently performed on the media content beingpresented by the media presentation system 120.

However, other embodiments of the media device 102 may optionallyperform the trick function operation instruction in the media devicecommand (or the sensed gesture-based touch movement information)received from the multi-media table 104 only at the multi-media table104. For example, if the media device command (or the sensedgesture-based touch movement information) received from the multi-mediatable 104 is for a pause trick function operation, the media device 102may perform the pause operation on the media content event stream thatis being communicated to the multi-media table 104, and not perform thepause trick function operation on the media content event beingpresented by the media presentation system 120. Here, the user would seea pause in presentation of the media content event in the media devicedisplay region 152 on the touch-sensitive display 106 while presentationcontinues on the display 126 of the media presentation system 120. Oneskilled in the art appreciates that the media device 102, to providethis particular operational flexibility, would have a speciallyconfigured content buffer and/or multiple content buffers.

Additionally, or alternatively, one of the content control graphicalicons 156 may resemble an image of the remote control 138 (or a similaror generic remote control unit), referred to herein as a remote controlemulating icon 158. The graphical image of the remote control emulatingicon 158 may have a plurality of active areas (interchangeably referredto as active regions) corresponding to the controllers 140 of thephysical remote control 138. Accordingly, the user intuitively knowswhich of the active areas of the remote control emulating icon 158 totouch to cause the media device 102 to operate in a manner that would bethe same as when the user actuates the corresponding controller 140 ontheir physical remote control 138. For example, one of the active areasmay resemble a remote control controller 140 with a “pause” symbolthereon, and may be represented in or close to the same location as thepause controller 140 of the physical remote control 138. Here, the userintuitively understands that if they touch the that particular activearea on the remote control emulating icon 158, a pause operation will beinitiated such that the media device pauses the presentation of themedia content event being shown in the media device display region 152on the touch-sensitive display 106.

In some embodiments, one of the content control graphical icons 156 mayresemble a relatively small image of a generic remote control. Inresponse to a touch selection by the user of the particular remotecontrol emulating icon 158 associated with the remote control, themulti-media table controller 116 operates to cause presentation of arelatively larger graphical image of the remote control emulating icon158 on the touch-sensitive display 106 that is sufficiently large so asto permit the user to discern the function of the various active regions(or active areas) and that permits touch control of individual activeregions by the user. For example, one of the active regions on theremote control emulating icon 158 may be a volume controller graphicthat resembles the volume control controller 140 on the physical remotecontrol 138. Here, the size of the active region (show as an image of agraphical volume controller) would be sufficiently large such that theuser would be able to discern and understand operation of the graphicalvolume controller. Also, the image of the graphical volume controllerwould be large enough so as to permit reliable and accurate detection ofthe user's touch when the user attempts to adjust the audio contentvolume via the image of the graphical volume controller that is beingpresented on the touch-sensitive display 106. Further, the user mayoptionally adjust the size of the image of the remote control emulatingicon 158 using a suitable gesture-based touch movement on thetouch-sensitive display 106.

Some embodiments may be configured to activate (turn on, or enter into apower on state) or deactivate (power off or enter into a power offstate) the media device 102 via the touch-sensitive display 106. Forexample, one of the active areas of the remote control emulating icon158 may correspond to a power on/off button (that also corresponds to apower on/off controller 140 on the physical remote control 138). Theuser may then activate the media device 102 and/or components of themedia presentation system 120 by touching the active area associatedwith the power on/off active region that activates/deactivates the mediadevice 102. Alternatively, or additionally, a different one of thecontent control graphical icons 156 and/or the graphical icons 148 maybe associated with a power on/off function that activates/deactivatesthe media device 102 and/or components of the media presentation system120.

Because the communication link 136 supports bidirectional communicationsbetween the media device 102 and the multi-media table 104, someembodiments may be optionally configured to cause the media device 102,in response to sensing an operation of a controller 140 of the physicalremote control 138, to generate and communicate information pertainingto the actuated controller 140 to the multi-media table 104. Themulti-media table controller 116 or the region directly controlled bythe media device 102, in response to receiving this information, mayoperate to change presentation of the particular content controlgraphical icons 156 and/or active region on the remote control emulatingicon 158. For example, if the pause button (the controller 140associated with a pause operation) is actuated by the user or anotherperson operating the physical remote control 138, the correspondingactive region on the touch-sensitive display 106 may have its brightnessintensity increased and/or the corresponding active region on thetouch-sensitive display 106 may be made to appear flashing to visuallyindicate to a viewer of the touch-sensitive display 106 that thecontroller 140 of the physical remote control 138 has been actuated.Here, if the viewer sees a pause of the presentation of the mediacontent event being shown in the media device display region 152 on thetouch-sensitive display 106 and concurrently sees a brightening and/orflashing of a particular content control graphical icon 156 and/or anactive region on the remote control emulating icon 158 associated with apause operation, the viewer will quickly understand that thepresentation of the media content event has been intentionally paused inresponse to an operation at the remote control 138 (and that there isnot some sort of other operation event or a problem occurring at themedia device 102 and/or at the multi-media table controller 116).

Conversely, some embodiments may be configured to cause the media device102 to transmit information to the physical remote control 138 when anoperation is initiated by the user via the touch-sensitive display 106.When the user provides a gesture-based touch movement intended tooperate the media device 102 and/or components of the media presentationsystem 120, the media device 102 generates and communicates informationto the remote control 138 such that the associated controller 140 on theremote control 138 visibly indicates which of its correspondingcontrollers 140 have been virtually operated from the multi-media table104. For example, if the user operates a pause button shown on theactive region of the graphical image of the remote control emulatingicon 158, the media device 102 generates and communicates informationindicating the initiation of the pause operation to the remote control138. In response to receiving this information, the corresponding pausecontroller 140 lights up, illuminates with a higher intensity,illuminates with a flashing, and/or otherwise visually indicatesactuation of the pause function by the user via the multi-media table104.

In some embodiments, the user is able to disable/enable the remotecontrol 138 using the touch-sensitive display 106 of the multi-mediatable 104. For example, the user may be in a first room or locationusing their multi-media table 104 while watching a media content eventbeing presented in the media device display region 152 of thetouch-sensitive display 106. The media device 102 and/or thecorresponding physical remote control 138 may be in another room orlocation. The user may not want another person to be able to operate themedia device 102 and/or components of the media presentation system 120using the remote control 138 when the user is at their multi-media table104. Accordingly, one of the remote control emulating icons 158, thecontent control graphical icons 156, and/or the graphical icons 148 maybe configured to disable operation of the remote control 138 in responseto receiving a user's gesture-based touch movement on that correspondingactive area of the touch-sensitive display 106. After the user hasdisabled the remote control 138, a similar gesture-based touch movementby the user would then reactivate the remote control 138. This featurecould be performed at the media device 102, which configures itself todisregard any detected wireless signals 142 emitted by the remotecontrol 138 when disabled by the user of the multi-media table 104.Alternatively, or additionally, a disable command could be generated andcommunicated from the media device 102 (or even the multi-media table104) in a wireless signal 142 that is received by the remote control138. In response to receiving the disable command in the wireless signal142, the remote control 138 then disables its operating functions and/orconfigures itself to not issue any wireless signals 142 until it islater re-enabled.

In some embodiments, the remote control 138 may be configured toassociate one or more of its controllers 140 with commands that areconfigured to operate the multi-media table 104. When the user wishes tooperate the multi-media table 104 using their remote control 138, theremote control 138 generates and issues a wireless signal 142 withcommand information that is configured to operate the multi-media table104. If the media device 102 detects and receives the wireless signal142, then the media device 102 may communicate suitable controlinstructions to the multi-media table controller 116 which then performsthe desired operation. Alternatively, or additionally, the multi-mediatable 104 may detect the wireless signal 142 emitted from the remotecontrol 138, and then operate accordingly. Some embodiments of a remotecontrol 138 may be provisioned with special designated controllers 140(not available on legacy remote controls) that are dedicated tooperation of the multi-media table 104. The user intuitively understandsthat these controllers 140 are specifically configured to control of themulti-media table 104. Any suitable operating function of themulti-media table 104 may be configured for control using the remotecontrol 138.

As another example, one of the content control graphical icons 156 orgraphical icons 148 may be configured to cause presentation of agraphical image 170 of an EPG on the media device display region 152 onthe touch-sensitive display 106. Here, before the graphical image 170 ofthe EPG is presented, the user “touches” the corresponding contentcontrol graphical icon 156 or graphical icon 148. The content controlgraphical icon 156 or graphical icon 148 may resemble a small EPG thatthe user intuitively understands will result in the presentation of thegraphical image 170 of the EPG if touched. In response to the usertouching the associated content control graphical icon 156 or graphicalicon 148, the graphical image 170 of the EPG is then presented on aportion of the touch-sensitive display 106.

The graphical image 170 of the EPG comprises a plurality of activeregions, wherein each active region of the graphical image 170 of theEPG uniquely indicates a presentation time and other information ofinterest of a broadcasting media content event that is receivable at themedia device 102. Here, a received gesture-based touch movement is auser's touch on one of the active areas of the graphical image 170 ofthe EPG such that a generated media device command corresponds to theuser's selection of a media content event that is indicated on thetouched active area of the graphical image 170 of the EPG.

Alternatively, the graphical image 170 of the EPG may be presented inanother portion of the touch-sensitive display 106, and optionally,concurrently with the presentation of media content in the media devicedisplay region 152. The EPG is a type of a user interface that presentsa menu, or a series of menus, with a combination of text and symbols torepresent media content event viewing choices that may be selected bythe user. Typically, the EPG has the look and feel of a table withprogram information describing available media content events and/orchannels that are currently being broadcast to the media device 102 inthe available indicated channels. The information shown on the EPG mayinclude the title of available media content events, along with thescheduled time and date of the media content event presentation(generically referred to herein as a presentation time). A briefdescription of the media content events may also be provided on the EPG.The EPG typically indicates the “channel” of the available media contentevent. The channel identifies the originating source of the program,such as a television studio, a premium movie provider, a nationalprogram provider, etc. Accordingly, the user of the multi-media table104 is able to view the same EPG on the touch-sensitive display 106 thatwould be presented on the display 126. Alternative embodiments enablethe user of the multi-media table 104 to navigate about the graphicalimage 170 of the EPG presented on the touch-sensitive display 106separately from the viewer who may be navigating about another EPG thatis being presented on the display 126.

The EPG presented on the display 126 is also interactive with the user.When viewing the EPG on the display 126 of the media presentation system120, the user, via their remote control 138 that is in communicationwith a media device 102, is able to “scroll” or “navigate” about the EPGto select a media content event of interest and/or to select aparticular channel of interest (thereby being presented the mediacontent that is being currently broadcast on that selected channel).When the user highlights the portion of the EPG corresponding to aparticular media content event of interest and/or a particular channelof interest, the user may actuate one or more controllers 140 of theremote control 138 to cause the media device 102 to perform a functionrelative to the selected media content event or channel of interest.

In an analogous manner, the user may use suitable gesture-based touchmovements to navigate about the graphical image 170 of the EPG presentedon the multi-media table 104, and then select a particular media contentevent of interest or a channel of interest by touching the correspondingarea on the EPG being presented on the touch-sensitive display 106. Insuch an embodiment, the multi-media table controller 116 and/or themedia device 102 has a prior knowledge of the function, spatiallocation, and relationship of each active area of the graphical image170 of the EPG that is being shown on the touch-sensitive display 106.Based on the particular location of the user's touch, under the firstoperational configuration, the multi-media table controller 116 can thendetermine the identity of the particular media content event of interestor a channel of interest that the user intends to select. Then, themulti-media table controller 116 is able to generate a media devicecommand that includes information that the media device 102 may use toaccess the desired media content event of interest or channel ofinterest that the user has selected via the EPG that is being presentedon the touch-sensitive display 106. Under the second operationalconfiguration, information corresponding to the user's sensedgesture-based touch movement is communicated directly to the mediadevice 102 such that the media device 102 can determine the user'sintended EPG selections therefrom.

Because the communication link 136 supports bidirectional communicationsbetween the media device 102 and the multi-media table 104, someembodiments may be optionally configured to cause the media device 102,in response to sensing a selection of a particular media content eventor channel made via an EPG presented on the display 126, to generate andcommunicate information pertaining to the EPG selection to themulti-media table 104. The touch-sensitive display 106, in response toreceiving this information, may operate to change presentation of thegraphical image 170 of the EPG that is presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106. For example, if a particular media content event has beenhighlighted on the EPG presented on the display 126 by the useroperating the remote control 138, the corresponding region on thegraphical image 170 of the EPG presented on the touch-sensitive display106 may have its brightness intensity increased, shading or backgroundcolor changed, and/or be made to appear flashing to visually indicate toa viewer of the touch-sensitive display 106 that a selection via the EPGpresented on the display 126 has been made by the user. Here, if theviewer sees a change to a different media content event and/or channelfrom the presentation of the media content event currently being shownin the media device display region 152 on the touch-sensitive display106 and also concurrently sees a brightening and/or flashing of thegraphical image 170 of the EPG presented on the touch-sensitive display106, the viewer will readily understand that the presentation to the newmedia content event and/or channel has been intentionally changed by theuser or another person via the remote control 138 (and that there is notsome sort of other operation event or a problem occurring at the mediadevice 102 and/or at the multi-media table controller 116).

In some embodiments, one of the content control graphical icons 156 mayresemble a small image of a generic EPG. In response to a touchselection by the user of the particular remote control emulating icon158 associated with the EPG, a larger sized image of the graphical image170 of the EPG is presented on the touch-sensitive display 106. Thelarger size image of the graphical image 170 of the EPG is sufficientlylarge for the user to discern the EPG information. Further, the size islarge enough so as to permit reliable and accurate detection of theuser's touch when the user attempts to select content via the graphicalimage 170 of the EPG that is being presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106. Further, the user may optionally adjust the size of thegraphical image 170 of the EPG using a suitable gesture-based touchmovement on the touch-sensitive display 106.

With some embodiments, under the first operational configuration, themulti-media table controller 116 may generate a media device commandwith information that the user has initiated presentation of thegraphical image 170 of the EPG on the touch-sensitive display 106. Inresponse to receiving the media device command, the media device 102 mayoperate to present the corresponding EPG on the display 126 of the mediapresentation system 120. Further, as the user of the multi-media table104 navigates about the graphical image 170 of the EPG shown on thetouch-sensitive display 106, the multi-media table controller 116provides a series of media device commands about the user's navigationactivities such that the media device can show the correspondingnavigation activities on the graphical image 170 of the EPG beingpresented on the display 126. Accordingly, another person viewing theEPG being presented on the display 126 will intuitively understand thatthe user of the multi-media table 104 is touching and navigation aboutthe EPG being presented on the touch-sensitive display 106. Similarly,under the second operational configuration, information corresponding tothe user's sensed gesture-based touch movement is communicated directlyto the media device 102 so that the EPG may be presented and controlledin the same manner as the image of the graphical image 170 of the EPGthat is being presented on the touch-sensitive display 106.

One skilled in the art appreciates that the user may use any suitabletype of gesture-based touch movements that will cause the multi-mediatable controller 116 to move the media device display region 152, one ormore of the content control graphical icons 156, and/or the optionalremote control emulating icon 158 to any desired location on thetouch-sensitive display 106. Further, other suitable types ofgesture-based touch movements may be used to change the presented sizeof the media device display region 152, one or more of the contentcontrol graphical icons 156, and/or the optional remote controlemulating icon 158 to any suitable dimensions that suite the particulardesires of the user.

In some embodiments, the content being displayed on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106 is communicated from the multi-media table 104 to the mediadevice 102. Here, the media device 102 processes the received graphicaland/or audio content, and then communicates the content to components ofthe media presentation system 120. For example, the graphical output ofan executing application (under the control of the multi-media tablecontroller 116) may be concurrently presented on the display 126 of themedia presentation system 120. The viewer of the display 126 will thensee the same graphical content that the user of the multi-media table104 is viewing. Further, the same audio content that the user of themulti-media table 104 is hearing from the speaker 114 may beconcurrently output from the speakers 128 of the media presentationsystem 120. In some embodiments, some or all of the graphical contentbeing displayed on the touch-sensitive display 106 may be presented onthe display 126 using a picture in picture, picture over picture, or thelike format such that the media content event being provided by themedia device 102 to the display 126 may be concurrently viewed with thegraphical content being displayed on the touch-sensitive display 106.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an example media device102 and an example multi-media table controller 116 provisioned withembodiments of the multi-media table interface system 100. Embodimentsof the media device 102 may be implemented in electronic media devices,such as, but not limited to, a set top box, a stereo, a television (TV),a digital video disc (DVD) player, a digital video recorder (DVR), acellular phone equipped with video functionality, a personal deviceassistant (PDA), a game playing device, or a personal computer (PC) thatis configured to present a video-based media content event that isreceived in a media content stream 118. Other types of output devicesmay also be coupled to the media device 102, including those providingany sort of stimuli sensible by a human being, such as temperature,vibration and the like. In some embodiments, the media device 102 andone or more of the components of the media presentation system 120 maybe integrated into a single electronic device.

The non-limiting exemplary media device 102 comprises a media contentstream interface 202, a processor system 204, a memory medium 206, a atleast one content buffer 208, an optional digital video recorder (DVR)210, a presentation device interface 212, a remote interface 214, amulti-media table interface 216, and an optional blue tooth transceiver(BTT) 218. The memory medium 206 comprises portions for storing themedia device logic 220, the electronic program guide (EPG) information222, an optional browser 226, multi-media table interface logic 228, andthe multi-media table data 230. In some embodiments, the media devicelogic 220, the browser 226 and the multi-media interface logic 228 maybe integrated together, and/or may be integrated with other logic. Inother embodiments, some or all of these memory and other datamanipulation functions may be provided by using a remote server or otherelectronic devices suitably connected via the Internet or otherwise to aclient device. Other media devices 102 may include some, or may omitsome, of the above-described media processing components. Further,additional components not described herein may be included inalternative embodiments.

The non-limiting exemplary multi-media table controller 116 comprises amedia device interface 232, a processor system 234, a memory medium 236,a remote interface 238, a display interface 240 and an optional contentbuffer 242. The memory medium 236 comprises portions for storing themulti-media table logic 244, media device interface logic 246, anoptional browser 248, and the working applications 250. Some embodimentsof the multi-media table controller 116 may also include an optionalblue tooth transceiver (BTT) 218. In some embodiments, the multi-mediatable logic 244, media device interface logic 246, and the optionalbrowser 248 may be integrated together, and/or may be integrated withother logic. In other embodiments, some or all of these memory and otherdata manipulation functions may be provided by using a remote server orother electronic devices suitably connected via the Internet orotherwise to a client device. Other multi-media table controllers 116may include some, or may omit some, of the above-described mediaprocessing components. Further, additional components not describedherein may be included in alternative embodiments.

The functionality of the media device 102, here a set top box, is nowbroadly described. In a satellite broadcast system, a media contentprovider provides media content that is received in one or more multiplemedia content streams 118 multiplexed together in one or more transportchannels. The transport channels with the media content streams 118 arecommunicated to the media device 102 from a media system sourced from aremote head end facility (not shown) operated by the media contentprovider. The media device 102 is configured to receive one or morebroadcasted satellite signals detected by an antenna (not shown).Non-limiting examples of other media systems that broadcast a mediacontent stream 118 include a cable system, a radio frequency (RF)communication system, and the Internet.

The one or more media content streams 118 are received by the mediacontent stream interface 202. One or more tuners 202 a in the mediacontent stream interface 202 selectively tune to one of the mediacontent streams 118 in accordance with instructions received from theprocessor system 204. The processor system 204, executing the mediadevice logic 220 and based upon a request for a media content event ofinterest specified by a user, parses out media content associated withthe media content event of interest. The media content event of interestis then assembled into a stream of video and/or audio information whichmay be stored by the content buffer 208 such that the media content canbe streamed out to components of the media presentation system 120, suchas the visual display device 122 and/or the audio presentation device124, via the presentation device interface 214. Alternatively, oradditionally, the parsed out media content may be saved into the DVR 210for later presentation. The DVR 210 may be directly provided in, locallyconnected to, or remotely connected to, the media device 102. Inalternative embodiments, the media content streams 118 may stored forlater decompression, processing and/or decryption. In embodiments withmultiple tuners 202 a, different content may be presented by themulti-media table 104, may be presented by the media presentation system120, and/or may be stored into the DVR 210 or another suitable memorymedium.

From time to time, information populating the EPG information 222portion of the memory medium 206 is communicated to the media device102, via the media content stream 118 or via another suitable media. TheEPG information 222 of the memory medium 206 stores the informationpertaining to the scheduled programming of broadcasting media contentevents. The information may include, but is not limited to, a scheduledpresentation start and/or end time, a program channel, and descriptiveinformation. The program's descriptive information may include the titleof the program (interchangeably referred to herein as a media contentevent), names of performers or actors, date of creation, and a summarydescribing the nature of the program. Any suitable information may beincluded in the program's supplemental information. Upon receipt of acommand from the user requesting presentation of an EPG display, theinformation in the EPG information 222 is retrieved, formatted, and thenpresented on the display 126 or the touch-sensitive display 106 as anEPG.

As described herein, the exemplary media device 102 and/or themulti-media table controller 116 are configured to receive commands froma user via the remote control 138. The remote control 138 includes oneor more controllers 140 and an optional display (not shown) residing onthe surface of the remote control 138. The user, by actuating one ormore of the controllers 140, or icons presented on the display whenconfigured as a touch sensitive type display, causes the remote control138 to generate and transmit commands, via a wireless signal 142. Theremote interface 214 of the media device 102 is configured to detect thewireless signal 142 such that the processor system 204 can determine theuser's intended commands generated by and issued from the remote control138.

Similarly, the remote interface 238 of the multi-media table controller116 is configured to detect the wireless signal 142. When a detectedwireless signal 142 is detected by the multi-media table controller 116,the multi-media table controller 116 determines if the intended commandtherein is for control of the multi-media table 104. Then, the processorsystem 234 can determine the user's intended commands generated by andissued from the remote control 138, and implement those operations onthe multi-media table 104. For example, one of the controllers 140 maybe configured to power on/off (turn on/turn off) the multi-media table104 and/or other electronic devices. In response to detecting a wirelesssignal 142 issued from the remote control 138, the multi-media table 104may transition to the powered on/off state.

As another nonlimiting example, a controller 140 is associated withpresentation of an EPG. The media device interface logic 246, inresponse to detecting that wireless signal 142, can access the EPGinformation 222 from the media device 102. The multi-media tablecontroller 116 can then generate an EPG that is presented to the user onthe touch-sensitive display 106.

As yet another example, another controller 140 is associated with achannel change operation. The media device interface logic 246, inresponse to detecting that corresponding wireless signal 142, maycommunicate the channel change request by the user to the media device102. Then, the media content event associated with the channel changeoperation may be received from the media device 102 and then bepresented to the user on the touch-sensitive display 106.

The processes performed by the media device 102 relating to theprocessing of the received media content stream 118 and communication ofa presentable media content event to the components of the mediapresentation system 120 are generally implemented by the processorsystem 204 while executing the media device logic 220. Thus, the mediadevice 102 may perform a variety of functions related to the processingand presentation of one or more media content events received in themedia content stream 118.

The processes performed by the multi-media table controller 116 relatingto the execution of the plurality of applications residing in theworking applications 250 portion of the memory medium 236, theprocessing of any received media content streams received from the mediadevice 102, and communication of video content event to thetouch-sensitive display 106 are generally implemented by the processorsystem 234 while executing the multi-media table logic 244. Thus, themulti-media table controller 116 may perform a variety of functionsrelated to the processing and presentation of video and/or audioinformation in accordance with directions for the user of themulti-media table 104.

The multi-media table interface 216 and the media device interface 232are interface devices configured to communicatively couple the mediadevice 102 and the multi-media table controller 116, respectively. Theinterfaces 216, 232 may be configured to receive and transmitbi-directional communications between the media device and themulti-media table controller 116. Some interfaces 216, 232 may beoptionally configured to communicate using a plurality of differentcommunication mediums, such as a wireless communication medium or awire-based communication medium.

The display interface 240 of the multi-media table controller 116communicatively couples the multi-media table controller 116 and thetouch-sensitive display 106. The display interface 240 is configured tosupport bidirectional communications so that the multi-media tablecontroller 116 can control presentation of graphical information on thetouch-sensitive display 106, and so that the touch-sensitive display 106can communicate information to the multi-media table controller 116about detected gesture-based touch movements made by the user on thetouch-sensitive display 106.

The presentation device interface 214 of the media device 102 isconfigured to communicate video and audio content to the components ofthe media presentation system 120. In some embodiments, the display 126is itself a touch sensitive display that can sense gesture-based touchmovements made to the display 106. In such embodiments, the presentationdevice interface 214 supports bidirectional communications so that themedia device 102 may receive information from the touch-sensitivedisplay 106, and then perform such user operations that have beenreceived. Further, information and/or content changes made based on usercommands received from the touch-sensitive display 126 may becommunicated from the media device 102 to the multi-media tablecontroller 116 such that content or operations can be changed by themulti-media table 104.

The working applications 250 portion of the memory medium 244 stores aplurality of different applications, interchangeably known as programs,that may be executed by the processor system 234. An application,executing under the control of the processor system 234, typicallygenerates graphical content that is presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106. If audio content is generated, it may be presented by thespeaker 114. As noted herein, the generated graphical and/or audiocontent may be communicated to the media device 102 so that it may bepresented on the display 126 and/or speakers 128 of the mediapresentation system 120 by the media device 102.

The media device 102 is configured to record (save) media content eventinto the DVR 210 and/or into another suitable memory medium. Therecordings may be scheduled in advance by the user by setting start andend record timers or the like, and information that identifies the mediacontent event of interest that is to be recorded (such as by channel,title, and/or content provider).

Embodiments of the media device 102 may optionally, at the initiation ofa recording (or at some predefined duration prior to the start of therecording), generate and communicate information, referred to herein asa recording notification message, to the multi-media table 104. Therecording notification message indicates that the recording of the mediacontent event is ready to, or beginning to, record. In response toreceiving the recording notification message, the multi-media tablecontroller 116 generates a corresponding recording notificationgraphical message 252 that is presented to the user on thetouch-sensitive display 106 and/or a corresponding audio message that ispresented by the speaker 114. For example, a relatively small pop-upgraphic window or the like may be presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106 indicating that the media content event with the “Title Xwill begin recording in five minutes, do you wish to view this event?”Any suitable recording notification message may be generated andpresented by the various embodiments. Thus, the user of the multi-mediatable 104 becomes aware of the recording media content event, and mayoptionally choose to modify the recording and/or to receive the mediacontent event from the media device 102 for presentation on thetouch-sensitive display 106.

In some embodiments, after the recording notification message isgenerated and then presented on the touch-sensitive display 106, a userconfirmation to record the media content event is required. That is,user input may be required before the media content event is recorded.In the absence of the user confirmation to the recording notificationmessage, the recording will not occur.

In some embodiments, the user may optionally respond to the recordingnotification message if they wish that the recording media content eventis also presented on the touch-sensitive display 106. In response to theuser input, the recording media content event is communicated from themedia device 102 and is then presented on the touch-sensitive display106.

Alternatively, the media content event may be automatically presented onthe touch-sensitive display 106 if the user does not otherwise respondto the notification message and if the multi-media table 104 is in use.The recording media content event may replace the currently presentingmedia content event on the touch-sensitive display 106. Alternatively,the recording media content event may be presented in another portion ofthe touch-sensitive display 106 concurrently with the currentlypresenting media content event on the touch-sensitive display 106.

Some embodiments of the multi-media table controller 116 (or themulti-media table 104) and the media device 102 may be optionallyprovisioned with the blue tooth transceiver 218. Blue tooth technologyprovides a short range wireless communication medium for communicationof audio content. In an example embodiment, a first blue toothtransceiver 218 is configured to monitor for and detect (commonlyreferred to as discovery process or the like) the presence of a secondblue tooth transceiver 218. If the second blue tooth transceiver 218 isdetected, then the detecting first blue tooth transceiver 218 determinesthe identity of electronic device that is associated with the secondblue tooth transceiver 218 and initiates a communication link (commonlyreferred to as synchronization or the like). Then the first blue toothtransceiver 218 can begin to receive or transmit audio content to thesecond blue tooth transceiver 218.

For example, the blue tooth transceiver 218 in the multi-media tablecontroller 116 may monitor for any emitted communications for the bluetooth transceiver 218 in the media device 102. Such emittedcommunications would indicates that the media device 102 is being usedby the user or another person.

In an example embodiment, if the blue tooth transceiver 218 of themulti-media table 104 may detect communications emitted from the bluetooth transceiver 218 at the media device 102. In response to detectingthe blue tooth communications, a suitable notification message isgenerated by the multi-media table controller 116 and is then presentedto the user on the touch-sensitive display 106. The user of themulti-media table 104 may then become aware that the media device 102has been activated and/or that the media device 102 has been broughtinto proximity of the multi-media table 104 (within the range ofdetection by the blue tooth transceiver 218 of the multi-media table104). The notification message may permit the user to respond via thetouch-sensitive display 106 so that any media content events that areavailable on the media device are presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106. Alternatively, or additionally, an EPG or the like may begenerated and presented to the user on the touch-sensitive display 106.Accordingly, the user may then operate the media device 102, via thetouch-sensitive display 106, to access and then present a media contentevent of interest that is accessible by the media device 102. Forexample, if a child begins to use the media device 102 to view content,the parent using the multi-media table 104 can become aware of thechild's activities in response to viewing the notification message, andmay optionally monitor the media content event that is being presentedto the child.

In some situations, an electronic media content device 132 may becommunicatively coupled and controllably coupled to the media device102. That is, the media device 102 may be able to control the receipt ofmedia content from the electronic media content device 132. Embodimentsmay be configured to permit the user to also control the electronicmedia content device 132 via gesture-based touch movements made to thetouch-sensitive display 106. For example, if a particular electronicmedia content device 132 is known to be controllably coupled to themedia device 102, suitable content control graphical icons 156 thatcontrol operation of the electronic media content device 132 may bepresented on the touch-sensitive display 106. Based on the user'sdetected “touches” on the active areas associated with those particularcontent control graphical icons 156, the multi-media table controller116 may generate and communicate corresponding media device commands tothe media device 102. The media device 102 then controls the electronicmedia content device 132 in accordance with the instructions in themedia device commands received from the multi-media table controller116.

For example, if the electronic media content device 132 is a digitalvideo disc (DVD) player, the user may manage presentation of a DVD beingplayed by the DVD player via the touch-sensitive display 106. In anexample embodiment, a graphical representation of the DVD player may bepresented on the touch-sensitive display 106, wherein active regions onthe graphical image of the DVD player correspond to physical controls ofthe DVD player. Thus, the user may select to operate the DVD player by“touching” the corresponding active areas on the image of the DVD playerpresented on the touch-sensitive display 106. (Alternatively, oradditionally, the user might also control the DVD player via a presentedremote control emulating icon 158.)

Further, in some embodiments, one of the graphical icons 148 mayresemble the DVD player, or at least be intuitively understood by theuser to be associated with the DVD player. In response to a selection ofthe user (by touching that associated graphical icon 148), the largercontrollable image of the DVD player is presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay 106 with active regions that correspond to the physicalcontrollers of the DVD player. Accordingly, the user can then controlthe DVD player via the touch-sensitive display 106 by “touching” thecorresponding active areas of the graphical image of the DVD player. Insome embodiments, in response to the user's “touch” of the graphicalicon 148 associated with the DVD player, the DVD player may betransitioned into a power state (turned on) and/or the media device 102may be transitioned into a power state (turned on). Once the DVD player(and the controlling media device 102) are powered, the user can thencontrol either the media device 102 and/or the DVD player to controlpresentation of media content by the DVD player. Other electronic mediacontent devices 132 may be similarly operated.

Various types of media devices 102 may be optionally communicatively andcontrollably and/or communicatively coupled to other electronic devices134. Examples of an electronic device 134 include controlled appliancesthat the user may wish to control. Alternatively, or additionally, someelectronic device 134 may provide some sort of sensed data that is ofinterest to the user. Examples of electronic devices 134 includecameras, home security systems, telephones, lights, appliances, audiosystems, slaved media devices (that receive requested content from themedia device 102), or the like. Thus, any electronic device 134 that canprovide information to and/or be controlled by the media device 102 mayalso provide information to and/or be controlled by the multi-mediatable 104 based on the user's input provided to the touch-sensitivedisplay 106.

The multi-media table interface logic 228 of the media device 102 isretrieved and executed by the processor system 204 of the media device102 so that communications to the multi-media table 104 and from themulti-media table 104 are managed by the media device 102. In an exampleembodiment, the multi-media table interface logic 228 is used to managethe communication of the media content event to the multi-media table104 using a format that is used by the multi-media table controller 116to process and prepare the media content for presentation on thetouch-sensitive display 106. Conversely, the multi-media table interfacelogic 228 facilitates receiving and processing control instructions fromthe multi-media table 104 so that the media device 102 and/or componentsof the media presentation system 120 are operated in accordance with theuser's instructions that are input by the user via the touch-sensitivedisplay 106.

The media device interface logic 246 of the multi-media table 104 isretrieved and executed by the processor system 234 of the multi-mediatable controller 116 so that communications to the media device 102and/or other controllably connected devices are managed by themulti-media table controller 116. In an example embodiment, the mediadevice interface logic 246 is used to manage the received media contentevent using a format that is used by the touch-sensitive display 106 topresent the media content. Conversely, the media device interface logic246 facilitates generating and communicating control instructions fromthe multi-media table 104 to the media device 102 and/or components ofthe media presentation system 120 which are then operated in accordancewith the user's instructions that are input by the user via thetouch-sensitive display 106.

It is appreciated by one skilled in the art that there are numerousdifferent types of media devices 102 and multi-media tables 104. Eachdifferent media device 102 and multi-media table 104 may employdifferent forms of data communication formats. This, it is highlyproblematic that any particular user's media device 102 will beimmediately compatible with the user's multi-media table 104. In someembodiments, information about a plurality of different multi-mediatables 104 is stored in the multi-media table data 230 region of thememory medium 206 of the media device 102. When the media device 102 andthe particular multi-media table 104 are initially communicativelycoupled together, the media device 102 may identify an identity orcharacteristics of the multi-media table 104. Once the media device 102has identified the multi-media table 104 (or characteristics pertainingto the multi-media table 104) access various information such ascommunication formats or other information that is particular to theidentified multi-media table 104 can be accessed by the media device102. Based on the accessed information, the media device 102 mayconfigured itself for communications with that particular multi-mediatable 104. Alternatively, the media device 102 may use its optionalbrowser 226 to access a remote site (not shown) to access and retrievethe communication formats or other information that is particular to theidentified multi-media table 104. This process of establishingcommunication connectivity with the multi-media table 104 may be managedby the multi-media table interface logic 228. Accordingly, a mediadevice 102 can be configured to communicatively couple to a plurality ofdifferent multi-media tables 104 since the unique operatingcharacteristics and/or requirements of an identified multi-media table104 can be accessed by the media device 102 as needed.

As noted herein, the user may control presentation of media content onthe touch-sensitive display 106 and/or by the components of the mediapresentation system 120 using various trick function operations via thetouch-sensitive display 106. Some embodiments of the media device 102are provisioned with a single content buffer 208 a that receives thebroadcasting media content events. Alternatively, a media content eventmay be received from the DVR 210 and/or an electronic media contentdevice 132. When a trick function operation is performed to controlpresentation of a media content event, the trick function operation isperformed on the media content event as it is being processed in thesingle content buffer 208 a such that the presentation of the mediacontent event is the same on both the display 126 and thetouch-sensitive display 106. For example, but not limited to, if a pauseoperation is performed, presentation of the media content event ispaused on both the display 126 and the touch-sensitive display 106 sincethe content pause occurs by controlling the content output from thesingle content buffer 208 a.

However, some embodiments of the media device 102 may be configured witha second content buffer 208 b. in such embodiments, a media contentevent streamed to the multi-media table 104 can be separately controlledwith a trick function operation while the media content event beingstreamed out to the media presentation system 120 from the contentbuffer 208 a may remain unchanged (or vice versa). For example, a userof the multi-media table 104 can pause presentation of the media contentevent on the touch-sensitive display 106 (since the pause trick functionoperation is performed at the content buffer 208 b) while presentationof the media content event continues without pause on the display 126.In some situations, different media content events can be processed bythe content buffers 208 a and 208 b such that a first media contentevent is presented on the touch-sensitive display 106 and a differentsecond media content event is presented by the media presentation system120. Further, the different media content events can be received fromdifferent sources, such as the media content stream interface 202, theDVR 210, and/or an electronic media content device 132.

Alternatively, some embodiments of the media device 102 may beconfigured with a partionable content buffer 208 that can be partitionedinto different memory regions by the media device 102 as needed. Forexample, if the user of the multi-media table 104 initiates a pausetrick function operation to pause presentation of the media contentevent on the touch-sensitive display 106 (while the pause trick functionoperation is not to be made on the media content event being presentedby the media presentation system 120), the content can be paused on afirst partition region of the content buffer 208 that is processing themedia content event, while another partition region of the contentbuffer 208 continues to process and buffer the continuing presentationof the media content event by the media presentation system 120. In somesituations, different media content events can be processed by thecontent buffer 208 such that a first media content event is presented onthe touch-sensitive display 106 and a different second media contentevent is presented by the media presentation system 120. Further, thedifferent media content events can be received from different sources,such as the media content stream interface 202, the DVR 210, and/or anelectronic media content device 132.

Alternatively, or additionally, some embodiments of the multi-mediatable controller 116 include the optional content buffer 242. Thus, astreaming media content event can be received by the multi-media table104 and buffered into the content buffer 242 of the multi-media tablecontroller 116. Then, the trick function operations requested by theuser via the touch-sensitive display 106 can be managed and processed atthe content buffer 242 under the control of the multi-media tablecontroller 116. The media device 102 continues to process the mediacontent event without having to perform the trick function beingperformed at the multi-media table 104.

It is appreciated by one skilled in the art that embodiments of themedia device 102 that are configured to separately control presentationof a media content event at the touch-sensitive display 106 and by themedia presentation system 120 may be configured with a plurality ofdecoders (not shown). Each decoder separately processes and decodes thereceived media content event streams. Such decoders may reside in themedia device 102 and/or in the multi-media table controller 116.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of themulti-media table interface system 100 are merely possible examples ofimplementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications maybe made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by the following claims.

1. A method for content presentation on a touch-sensitive display of amulti-media table that is communicatively coupled to a media device thatis operable to access media content, the method comprising: receiving,at the multi-media table from the media device, a media content event,wherein a broadcast of the media content event is being received from amedia system sourced from a remote head end facility operated by a mediacontent provider; presenting the media content event on a portion of thetouch-sensitive display of the multi-media table; detecting, at themulti-media table, a gesture-based touch movement made by a user on thetouch-sensitive display; determining, at the multi-media table, anintended user command based on the detected gesture-based touchmovement; generating, at the multi-media table, a media device commandwhen the intended user command is configured to control presentation ofthe media content event; and communicating the generated media devicecommand from the multi-media table to the media device, wherein themedia device controls presentation of the broadcasting media contentevent in accordance with the received media device command.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the portion on the touch-sensitive displaythat is presenting the media content event received from the mediadevice is a first portion on the touch-sensitive display, the methodfurther comprising; presenting a graphical image of a remote controlemulating icon on a second portion of the touch-sensitive display,wherein the graphical image of the remote control emulating icon is agraphical image of a physical remote control that controls the mediadevice, wherein the graphical image of the remote control emulating iconcomprises a plurality of active areas. wherein each one of the pluralityof active areas of the graphical image of the remote control emulatingicon uniquely corresponds to a controller on the physical remotecontrol, wherein the received gesture-based touch movement is a user'stouch on one of the active areas of the graphical image of the remotecontrol emulating icon, and wherein the generated media device commandis configured to control presentation of the media content event usingan operation that corresponds to an operation that is caused by anactuation of the corresponding controller of the physical remotecontrol.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the received gesture-basedtouch movement on one of the plurality of active areas of the graphicalimage of the remote control emulating icon is a second gesture-basedtouch movement that is received after a first gesture-based touchmovement, the method further comprising: presenting a graphical iconcorresponding to the remote control emulating icon on a third portion ofthe touch-sensitive display, wherein the graphical image of the remotecontrol emulating icon is not yet presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay; and receiving the first gesture-based touch movement on thegraphical icon corresponding to the remote control emulating icon,wherein the graphical image of the remote control emulating icon ispresented on the second portion of the touch-sensitive display inresponse to receiving the first gesture-based touch movement.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the received gesture-based touch movement onone of the plurality of active areas of the graphical image of theremote control emulating icon is associated with one of a plurality oftrick function operations, wherein the media device command comprisescontrol information that causes the media device to perform the trickfunction operation to the media content event, and wherein the mediacontent event received at the multi-media table from the media device ismodified in accordance with the trick function operation.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the broadcasting media content event is presented ona display that is communicatively coupled to the media deviceconcurrently with presentation of the media content event on thetouch-sensitive display of the multi-media table, wherein the intendeduser command based on the detected gesture-based touch movementcorresponds to a trick play function that controls presentation of themedia content event, and wherein the trick play operation comprises atleast one selected from a group consisting of a pause operation, a jumpforward operation, a jump backward operation, a fast forward operation,a slow motion forward operation, a fast rewind operation and a slowmotion rewind operation, the method further comprising: modifying at themedia device, the media content event in accordance with the trickfunction; communicating the modified media content event from the mediadevice to the multi-media table, wherein the modified media contentevent is presented in accordance with the trick function on thetouch-sensitive display of the multi-media table; continuingpresentation of the broadcasting media content event on the display thatis communicatively coupled to the media device, wherein the continuedpresentation of the broadcasting media content event is not modified bythe trick function.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:receiving, at the multi-media table, information from the media devicecorresponding to the actuation of one of the controllers of the physicalremote control; and indicating the actuation of the corresponding activearea on the graphical image of the remote control emulating icon inresponse to receiving the information from the media device so that theuser of the multi-media table intuitively understands that thecontroller of the physical remote control has been actuated, whereinindicating the actuation of the corresponding active area on thegraphical image of the remote control emulating icon comprises at leastone of: increasing illumination intensity of the active area; andflashing the active area.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the portionon the touch-sensitive display that is presenting the media contentevent received from the media device is a first portion, the methodfurther comprising: accessing electronic program guide (EPG) informationthat is stored at the media device, wherein the EPG information is usedto generate a graphical image of an electronic program guide (EPG);generating, at the media device, the graphical image of the EPG;communicating the graphical image of the EPG from the media device tothe multi-media table; presenting the graphical image of the EPG on asecond portion of the touch-sensitive display, wherein the graphicalimage of the EPG comprises a plurality of active areas, wherein theplurality of active areas of the graphical image of the EPG eachuniquely indicate at least a presentation time of a broadcasting mediacontent event that is receivable at the media device, wherein thereceived gesture-based touch movement is a user's touch on one of theplurality of active areas of the graphical image of the EPG, and whereinthe generated media device command corresponds to a user selection of amedia content event that is indicated on the touched active area of thegraphical image of the EPG.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein receivedgesture-based touch movement on one of the plurality of active areas ofthe graphical image of the EPG is a second gesture-based touch movementthat is received after a first gesture-based touch movement, the methodfurther comprising; presenting a graphical icon corresponding to the EPGon a third portion of the touch-sensitive display, wherein the graphicalimage of the EPG is not yet presented on the touch-sensitive display;and receiving the first gesture-based touch movement on the graphicalicon, wherein the graphical image of the EPG is presented on the secondportion of the touch-sensitive display in response to receiving thefirst gesture-based touch movement.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe graphical image of the EPG is a first EPG, further comprising:receiving, at the multi-media table, information from the media devicecorresponding to the user selection of the media content event on asecond EPG being presented on a display of a media presentation systemthat is communicatively coupled to the media device; and indicating theuser selection made via the second EPG in response to receiving theinformation from the media device so that a user of the multi-mediatable intuitively understands that a selection has been made via thesecond EPG, wherein indicating actuation of a corresponding active areaon the graphical image of the first EPG comprises at least one of:increasing illumination intensity of the active area; modifying at leastone of a fill pattern or background color of the active area; andflashing the active area.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mediacontent event is a first media content event, the method furthercomprising: receiving, at the multi-media table, information from themedia device that indicates that the media device is configured torecord a second media content event that is different from the currentlypresenting first media content event; and presenting a recordingnotification graphical message on the touch-sensitive display thatindicates that the media device is configured to record a broadcast ofthe second media content event, wherein the recording notificationgraphical message is presented on the touch-sensitive display when therecording begins at the media device or at a duration that precedes abeginning of the recording at the media device.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the media device command is a first media device command,the method further comprising: receiving, at the touch-sensitive displayof multi-media table, a user selection in response to presenting therecording notification graphical message on the touch-sensitive display,wherein the user selection corresponds to a presentation of the secondmedia content event that is being recorded by the media device;generating, at the multi-media table, a second media device commandcorresponding to the user selection of the second media content event;and communicating the generated second media device command from themulti-media table to the media device, wherein the media devicecommunicates the second media content event to the multi-media table asthe broadcasting second media content event is being received andrecorded by the media device, and wherein the second media content eventis presented on the touch-sensitive display.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the portion on the touch-sensitive display that is presentingthe media content event received from the media device is a secondportion, wherein the media device command is a first media devicecommand, and wherein prior to receiving the media content event from themedia device, the method further comprising: presenting a firstgraphical icon on a first portion of the touch-sensitive display,wherein the graphical icon corresponds to the media device; receiving,at the touch-sensitive display of the multi-media table, a userselection of the graphical icon; generating, at the multi-media table, asecond media device command corresponding to a power on command to turnon the media device and a power off command to turn off the mediadevice; and communicating the generated second media device command fromthe multi-media table to the media device, wherein the media deviceturns on if the media device is in a power off state and the mediadevice turns off in the media device is in a power on state at the timethat the second media device command is received.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the portion on the touch-sensitive display that ispresenting the media content event received from the media device is afirst portion on the touch-sensitive display, the method furthercomprising: presenting a first graphical icon on a second portion of thetouch-sensitive display, wherein the graphical icon corresponds to adigital video disc (DVD) player that is communicatively coupled to themedia device and that is controllable by the media device; receiving, atthe touch-sensitive display of the multi-media table, a user selectionof the graphical icon; presenting a graphical image of the DVD player ona third portion of the touch-sensitive display, wherein the firstgraphical icon corresponding to the DVD player is smaller than thegraphical image of the DVD player, wherein the graphical image of theDVD player comprises a plurality of active areas, and wherein each ofthe plurality of active areas of the graphical image of the DVD playeruniquely correspond to a controller on the DVD player that is used tocontrol presentation of the media content event by the DVD player. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the received gesture-based touchmovement is a user's touch on one of the plurality of active areas ofthe graphical image of the DVD player, wherein the generated mediadevice command corresponds to the user's touch of one of the activeregions on the graphical image of the DVD player, and wherein thegenerated media device command corresponds to an actuation of thecorresponding controller of the DVD player such that the generated mediadevice command is configured to control presentation of the mediacontent event using an operation that corresponds to an operation thatis caused by the actuation of the corresponding controller of DVDplayer.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion on thetouch-sensitive display that is presenting the media content eventreceived from the media device is a first portion, the method furthercomprising: presenting a first graphical icon on a second portion of thetouch-sensitive display, wherein the graphical icon corresponds to anelectronic device that is communicatively coupled to the media deviceand that is controllable by the media device; receiving, at thetouch-sensitive display of the multi-media table, a user selection ofthe graphical icon; presenting a graphical image of the electronicdevice on a third portion of the touch-sensitive display, wherein thegraphical image of the electronic device comprises a plurality of activeareas, and where each active area of the graphical image of theelectronic device uniquely corresponds to a controller on the electronicdevice, and wherein the electronic device comprises at least oneselected from a group consisting of a security system, a video camera,and a home appliance.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the receivedgesture-based touch movement is a user's touch on one of the activeareas of the graphical image of the electronic device, wherein thegenerated media device command corresponds to the user's touch of one ofthe active areas on the graphical image of the electronic device, andwherein the generated media device command corresponds to an actuationof the corresponding controller of the electronic device such that theelectronic device operates in accordance with the media device command.17. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the touch-sensitivedisplay of the multi-media table that presents the media content eventis a first portion output graphics of an executing application that isexecuting under the direct control of the multi-media table, wherein theintended user command that is configured to control presentation of themedia content event is configured to control the presentation of themedia content event on the touch-sensitive display, and the firstportion of the touch-sensitive display that is presenting the mediacontent event is under the direct control of the media device, themethod further comprising: modifying, at the media device, presentationof the media content event in accordance with the generated media devicecommand that has been communicated from the multi-media table to themedia device; and communicating the modified presentation of the mediacontent event from the media device to the multi-media table.
 18. Amedia device, comprising: a media content stream interface configured toreceive a streaming media content event, wherein a broadcast of themedia content event is being received from a media system sourced from aremote head end facility operated by a media content provider; apresentation device interface that communicatively coupled the mediadevice to components of a media presentation system; a multi-media tableinterface that communicatively couples the media device to a multi-mediadevice, wherein the media device is operable to communicate thebroadcasting media content event to a multi-media table that presentsthe received broadcasting media content event on a touch-sensitivedisplay controlled by the multi-media table, and wherein the mediadevice is operable to receive media device commands from the multi-mediatable that are generated in response to a gesture-based touch movementmade by a user on the touch-sensitive display; a processor systemcommunicatively coupled to the media content stream interface, thepresentation device interface and the multi-media table interface,wherein the processor system is configured to: control presentation ofthe media content event in accordance with the received media devicecommand, and communicate the media content event that has beencontrolled in accordance with the received media device command to themulti-media table, wherein the controlled media content event ispresented on the touch-sensitive display of the multi-media table. 19.The media device of claim 18, wherein the broadcasting media contentevent is presented on a display that is communicatively coupled to themedia device concurrently with presentation of the media content eventon the touch-sensitive display of the multi-media table; wherein thereceived media device command comprises control information that isassociated with one of a plurality of trick function operations, whereinthe media device performs the trick function operation to the mediacontent event such that the media content event communicated to themulti-media table is modified in accordance with the trick functionoperation, wherein the trick function operation comprises at least oneselected from a group consisting of a pause operation, a jump forwardoperation, a jump backward operation, a fast forward operation, a slowmotion forward operation, a fast rewind operation and a slow motionrewind operation, and wherein a continuing presentation of thebroadcasting media content event on the display that is communicativelycoupled to the media device is not modified by the trick function. 20.The media device of claim 18, wherein the media content event that iscurrently being communicated to the multi-media table is a first mediacontent event, wherein the media device command is a first media devicecommand, and further comprising: a digital video recorded (DVR)configured to record a second media content event that is receivable atthe media content stream interface, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: communicate information to the multi-media table that thesecond media content event is scheduled to be recorded, wherein theinformation is communicated to the multi-media table when the DVR beginsto record the second media content event or at a duration that precedesa beginning of a recording at the media device, wherein a recordingnotification graphical message is presented on the touch-sensitivedisplay of the multi-media table that indicates that the media device isconfigured to record a broadcast of the second media content event, andwherein the recording second media content event is communicated to themulti-media table in response to receiving a second media device commandfrom the multi-media table that corresponds to a request to receive thesecond media content event.